Gurmar is a powerful medicinal plant that can help manage metabolic syndrome

Gurmar (Gymnema sylvestre), a medicinal plant valued in Ayurvedic medicine, has previously demonstrated benefits on lipid and glucose levels, blood pressure, and body weight. In a study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food, researchers investigated the plant’s potential as a treatment for metabolic syndrome, in particular, its effects on insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity.

The researchers conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial on 24 participants aged 30 to 60 years old, all of whom had been diagnosed with metabolic syndrome according to the criteria set by the International Diabetes Federation.

The patients were randomly assigned to receive either 300 mg gurmar tablets or a placebo. They needed to take the drug twice daily for 12 weeks, one before breakfast and one before dinner.

The researchers took note of the components of metabolic syndrome before and after the intervention, including body weight, body mass index (BMI), total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol. The area under the curve of glucose and insulin, phases of insulin secretion, and insulin sensitivity were also determined.

Their analysis showed that gurmar was able to lower body weight, BMI, and VLDL levels, but had no impact on either insulin sensitivity or insulin secretion.

The researchers concluded that gurmar can decrease body weight, BMI, and VLDL levels, but does not have any effect on insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion.